Windhoek Observer

12117 Posts
SADC unites to tackle regional cholera threat

SADC unites to tackle regional cholera threat

Niël Terblanché Amid a rising wave of cholera cases across southern Africa, which has claimed hundreds of lives, the Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, opened a workshop on water treatment in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The workshop, aimed at addressing water quality, brings together delegates from SADC countries and East African nations. The event, hosted by NamWater, focuses on the importance of proficiency in water testing and the collaborative efforts needed to maintain water safety amid increasing regional challenges. The cholera outbreak, which has already caused significant loss of life, highlights the urgent need…
Read More
Donated infrastructure set to enhance rural education

Donated infrastructure set to enhance rural education

Niël Terblanché As the school year draws to a close, Namibia has received a timely boost to its educational infrastructure through a generous donation from the Chinese government. The Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, officially received newly constructed educational facilities for two rural schools in Kavango West: Satotwa Combined School and Simanya Combined School. She said the Chinese government’s gift, delivered through the Agency for International Economic Cooperation, will help address the growing need for learner accommodation and improve the overall learning environment in these remote areas. “The donation includes crucial infrastructure such as classrooms, administration…
Read More
One History but Multiple Voices: A Response to Paul T. Shipale

One History but Multiple Voices: A Response to Paul T. Shipale

Ndumba J Kamwanyah In his Windhoek Observer ( online) response of my review of Nelson T. Kalangula’s book A Namibian of Stature, The Namibian 2 October 2024, Paul Shipale seem to push for a narrow view of history, suggesting that Namibia’s liberation struggle should only be understood through the lens of SWAPO’s master narrative. While he has every right to share his perspective, I believe it’s important for him to acknowledge that history is a complex and contested space. It’s not a single story, but one made up of multiple voices and perspectives, each attempting to contribute to a fuller…
Read More
MME rolls out survey to shape future policies

MME rolls out survey to shape future policies

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) is conducting a comprehensive national energy survey and affordability study in collaboration with the World Bank. The survey started on 7 October and is expected to end on 11 November. The ministry’s Executive Director, Penda Ithindi, stated that the study, which will be carried out countrywide, aims to assess socio-economic conditions and identify development needs. He said the survey will also provide a robust evidence base for formulating policies and programmes aimed at poverty reduction and sustainable development by expanding universal access to energy. The exercise will encompass a range of…
Read More
BoN announce drought relief plan for struggling farmers

BoN announce drought relief plan for struggling farmers

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Bank of Namibia (BoN) is set to provide credit-related drought relief policy measures to assist farmers and agricultural business owners who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of drought. The bank’s director of strategic communications and international relations, Kazembire Zemburuka, announced the new measure on Monday. He explained that the decision was taken because the banking institutions are required to implement relief measures, including the restructuring of loans, granting of loan moratoriums, and emergency funding under preferential terms. According to Zemburuka, this will ease the financial burden on affected clients while helping to stabilise the agricultural…
Read More
San people face hardship with modern burials

San people face hardship with modern burials

Martin Endjala and Ester Mbathera The Khwe and !Xun people, who reside in the Bwabwata National Park, shared by the Zambezi and Kavango East regions, often face the challenge of keeping their deceased loved ones in the villages for days. This is because there are concerns that if burials take place without official notification, authorities might demand the exhumation of the bodies. David Musamba, a San activist, highlighted how modern burial practices are threatening their cultural norms. “We are told not to bury people without coffins anymore. The officials from the government told us that we will have to dig…
Read More
Shaningwa demands end to speculation about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s health

Shaningwa demands end to speculation about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s health

Martin Endjala Sophia Shaningwa, the Swapo party secretary general has called on people who are predicting that the party presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will fall ill before taking office, to stop. She was defending Nandi-Ndaitwah after she allegedly collapsed while delivering her statement at a recent party rally in Otjiwarongo. “Stop it. Leave our candidate. It must end in Otjiwarongo. You are busy discussing her and her vehicle. It must stop you witches. Leave the servant, who is here chosen by God and by the hand of man, to serve. Leave our candidate alone. Stop it with immediate effect,” she…
Read More
Police issue warning after Amushelelo’s tyre-burning protest

Police issue warning after Amushelelo’s tyre-burning protest

Martin Endjala The acting Khomas regional police commander, Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo, has issued a stern warning, stating that law enforcement will not tolerate unlawful acts following the arrest of Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) member Michael Amushelelo. Amushelelo was arrested and charged with malicious damage to property and contravening various laws after burning tyres and blocking traffic during a protest in front of the Ministry of Labour office in Khomasdal on Friday. “We were notified about the incident and dispatched a team of police officers and Amushelelo has been charged with malicious damage to property, in this case the…
Read More
Councillors call for urgent earth dam renovations

Councillors call for urgent earth dam renovations

Allexer Namundjembo Regional councillors in the country’s northern regions are urging the government to prioritise the renovation and construction of earth dams to address water shortages. As the country expects normal to above-normal rainfall in the coming months, councillors argue that these dams could help store floodwaters for later use, benefiting communities and agriculture. Okatyali Constituency councillor Joseph Mupetami highlighted the need for the government and NamWater to construct dams along main water pipelines supplying communities. “Constructing new dams may be costly and time-consuming. However, prioritising the renovation of existing earth dams could significantly address our water challenges. In my…
Read More
Grootfontein residents fume over muddy water as borehole repairs drag on

Grootfontein residents fume over muddy water as borehole repairs drag on

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The residents of Grootfontein are growing increasingly frustrated as mud-coloured water continues to flow from taps. This affected especially the Mini-town, Luiperdheuwel, and Extensions 7, 8, and 9, as well as parts of Tuliang. The issue, which has persisted for weeks, stems from ongoing repairs at the Buitekamp Boreholes and Water Reservoir. Emmerencia Ndara, a resident of Luiperdheuwel, said they rely on clean water for their daily needs. “It is unacceptable that we have to deal with brown water for an extended period,” said Ndara. Many residents took to social media to express their frustration. “This is the…
Read More
No widgets found. Go to Widget page and add the widget in Offcanvas Sidebar Widget Area.